HGTV has long been a favorite network for home renovation and real estate enthusiasts, but not every show is a hit. Viewers on Reddit’s r/HGTV have weighed in on what they consider the worst shows on the network, providing detailed critiques about bad designs, repetitive formulas, and uninspired hosts.
To create this ranking, we sorted the most disliked HGTV shows based on the number of upvotes a critique received in the Reddit discussion. The more upvotes a statement received, the higher the consensus among viewers that the show deserved criticism. Here’s the definitive list, ranked from most to least upvotes.
🏆 The Winner of the Worst HGTV Show: Divided by Design (85 Upvotes)
Taking the top spot as the most disliked HGTV show, Divided by Design was widely criticized for its lackluster design and irritating format. One fan summed it up: “The design is terrible and the whole show is majorly trying-too-hard irritating.” With 85 upvotes, this sentiment clearly resonated with many viewers.
🥈 The Runner-Up: Property Brothers (79 Upvotes)
Once an HGTV staple, Property Brothers has officially worn out its welcome for many fans. “Anything with the El Moussas or Christina. I’m so over them.” This critique, which included Flipping El Moussas, earned 79 upvotes, proving that many viewers are ready for a change.
🥉 Third Place: Fix My Frankenhouse (72 Upvotes)
While some appreciated the structural work on Fix My Frankenhouse, the design was a major turnoff. One Redditor pointed out: “The guy does a very good job rearranging the spaces in the house. The woman (his wife?) does unbelievably juvenile design.” This critique received 72 upvotes.
4. Down Home Fab (72 Upvotes)
Chelsea DeBoer’s home renovation show faced heavy backlash for its monotonous aesthetic. A viewer commented: “She literally just paints everything black and puts sparkly accessories in houses and calls it glam.” 72 upvotes backed up this opinion.
5. My Lottery Dream Home (67 Upvotes)
Despite David Bromstad’s charm, viewers were frustrated by misleading portrayals of lottery winnings. One user said: “They’ll tell the viewer that this person won more money than anyone could fathom, and then when they get to budget, they’ll say ‘$200,000.’” This critique earned 67 upvotes.
6. Love It or List It (52 Upvotes)
A longtime HGTV staple, Love It or List It was called out for being formulaic. A Redditor vented: “Every episode is exactly the same: Hilary runs out of money, David shows them a house slightly outside their ideal location, and they act surprised.” This comment received 52 upvotes.
7. Fixer to Fabulous Italiano (55 Upvotes)
Viewers were baffled by how unprepared the hosts seemed when dealing with construction challenges in Italy. One frustrated fan wrote: “How many times/ways can you show that couple being shocked that a remodel in the Italian countryside goes way differently than in Arkansas?” This earned 55 upvotes.
8. HGTV’s Overemphasis on Hosts’ Families (56 Upvotes)
A recurring complaint was the network’s increasing focus on host families rather than home renovations. One user sarcastically remarked: “Any show where they have portions showing the hosts’ saccharine sweet kids/family doing stuff on their $2 million hobby farm.” This critique received 56 upvotes.
9. Betting on Paradise (6 Upvotes)
This newer show has struggled to find an audience. One commenter criticized: “It’s just not that easy to find much about it that isn’t overly dramatized ‘disasters of the day’ with the cast caught off guard.” Only 6 upvotes, but it still made the list.
10. Tiny House Hunters (5 Upvotes)
Though no longer airing, Tiny House Hunters left a lasting impression—mostly negative. A Redditor stated: “People would come in with a laundry list of ‘bathtub, large kitchen, space to entertain, home office’ for a tiny house. But the designs were usually terrible and wasted space.” This comment received 5 upvotes.
11. Bargain Mansions (3 Upvotes)
While some enjoyed the show’s premise, others were put off by the design choices. One user quipped: “It’s a showcase of bad taste, worse wallpaper, and ‘what made you think this is a good idea?’” This opinion received 3 upvotes.
12. Windy City Rehab (3 Upvotes)
Alison Victoria’s flipping show was criticized for feeling like a vanity project. One Redditor summed it up: “She isn’t the least bit interested in a return on her investment. Her ‘flipping’ career is clearly just a vanity project so she can decorate houses according to her style.” This comment also received 3 upvotes.
Conclusion: Has HGTV Lost Its Touch?
The feedback from this Reddit discussion suggests that viewers are tired of predictable formulas, uninspired designs, and forced drama. While HGTV still produces beloved shows, many fans believe the network has drifted away from its roots. As one user summed it up: “HGTV just isn’t what it used to be.”
Whether these criticisms lead to a shift in programming remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—loyal viewers want fresh ideas and real design talent. What do you think? Is it time for HGTV to make some changes?